Zidane (Final Fantasy IX)
creation: October 2002worn at: Nekocon 2002, Ohayocon 2003, Ushicon 2003
why zidane?: I played this game, Final Fantasy 9, because I was bored over the summer. I fell in love with it. I decided Zidane was the coolest character ever. He's one of my favorite characters ever. He is soooooo fantastic. I love the fact that he is funny, retarded, and not defeated by the wannabe existential plot of the later part of FF9. He is so happy and wonderful that not even super shitty characters like Garland can keep him depressed for more than one scene. There are so many wonderful Zidane scenes that I could go on for hours about how awesome he is. Also, Zidane and Garnet are the cutest couple ever. I really hate the character designs for the game, but I decided not to let that stop me from doing the costume because I love the character. Look at me! I am so mainstream now!!! Yay! I can now get glomped ALL THE TIME. Yay.
con notes: I met up with the super talented Erika Door (as Dagger) at Nekocon. I've also gotten pictures with Kujas and Beatrixes. People need to NOT pull the tail. Grr.
construction: Ugh, where do I start? The pants are real denim, and so are the cuffs. The pants are made to be very baggy on the upper leg. The tail has a thick flexible wire running through the entire thing, and is stuffed with pillow stuffing. The wire goes all the way around the waist of the pants (this is more secure than my first attempt). The pants are done up on the side with a small zipper. The belt is made of felt and hot glue, with silver friendly plastic being used for the buckle. I made the ugliest and crappiest white undershirt ever because I just didn't own one. The vest is really something. I found the perfect color, but the correct side of that material had little black velvety flowery designs all over it. I fused about four layers of interfacing to it and edged it with bias tape. The white tips on the collar are cotton, and the lace is leftover from my Clara costume. The ribbon is actually functional, and goes all the way through the collar so it can be tied after you put it on. The belt harness thing is cheap brown cotton, and the stitching on that is thick leather shoelace. That buckle is also made of friendly plastic. More friendly plastic is used on the cuffs for the silver bits. I used extra large grey work gloves and sewed them directly into the cuffs. The boots used to be my Flea shoes, but I spraypainted them white and hot glued black vinyl and white cotton to them. One day I'll get a weapon...
This is my favorite costume to date. ^_^ Happiness and joy!
photo credits: Eurobeat King, Oshi, Fly By Night Design